Biography

Stephen Werlick, 1932 – 2010

Born in the Bronx, New York,  Stephen Werlick completed his studies at Cooper Union Art School, New York, studying with sculptors Milton Hebald, John Hovannes,  George Kratina and Leo Amino.  He received his M.F.A. in Sculpture from Tulane University’s Newcomb Art School, studying with George Rickey.

He was the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship,1956 – 1958, to Munich, Germany, studying sculpture and bronze casting with Heinrich Kirchner.  Werlick was also awarded the Rome Prize Fellowship, 1961 – 1964,  to the American Academy, Rome, Italy.

His work celebrates societal human conditions as depicted in monument-like groupings of figures interacting with and through various angled planes. The feminine form is celebrated in his classical bronze figures, portraits and reliefs.  His mid-career saw several commissions, among them  the FINA Prize Sculpture for the Munich Olympics and World Swimming Competitions,  a commission for a Holocaust memorial for Temple Judea in Southern California, a Processional Cross for Loyola Marymount University Chapel, a bronze crucifix and candelabra for St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Los Angeles,  The FINA sculpture is in the Fort Lauderdale Sports Hall of Fame.

In his later years his work took on more whimsical, spontaneous and expressive forms.

Adding to his extensive body of work are his transformations of wood into “tools”, undulating pieces that are wonderful to behold and touch.

He participated in group and solo exhibitions in Rome, New York, and California.